SportsPulse: NFL insider Jarrett Bell on how the football world responded to President Trump's comments on national anthem protests, as well as how Week 3 of the season was full of upsets and wild finishes.
USA TODAY Sports

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters upon his return to the White House in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)(Photo: The Associated Press)

He also claimed that many people booed the NFL players who kneeled in protest on Sunday.

Later on Monday, Trump claimed the league was facing a "tremendous backlash." He also took aim at a CNN report saying White House chief of staff John Kelly was unhappy with the continued attack on players.

NFL players and owners alike pushed back against Trump's original comments made at a rally in Alabama on Friday, where Trump said any players who protest the national anthem should be fired. A series of tweets on the subject followed from Trump's official Twitter account.

Trump also had a shout-out on Monday for the NASCAR community. On Sunday, several NASCAR owners said they stood with Trump and took a firm stance against anthem protests.

Richard Childress, who was Dale Earnhardt's longtime team owner, said of protesting: "It'll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus." Childress said he told his team that "anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America."

When asked if a protester at Richard Petty Motorsports would be fired, he said, "You're right."

So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag - they said it loud and clear!

NASCAR chairman Brian France created a firestorm in the sport when he endorsed Trump last year. France's efforts to quell criticism over what he insisted was a "personal and private" decision were complicated by Trump's continued mentioning of how he received "NASCAR's endorsement."

President Trump walks through Rose Garden with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (L) and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (R) to a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl LI champion Patriots on the South Lawn at the White House. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

(L to R) Former professional football player Jim Brown, former professional football player Ray Lewis, and Pastor Darrell Scott speak to reporters at Trump Tower, December 13, 2016 in New York. The former NFL players met with President-elect Trump to discuss efforts to address economic development in urban neighborhoods. Drew Angerer, Getty Images

Donald Trump stands next to then-Boston College QB Doug Flutie as he announced that he had signed a $7-million multi-year contract with the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League. Trump owned the Generals. Martin Lederhandler, Associated Press

Then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump shakes hands with former Ohio State and NFL football player Nick Mangold as he arrives for a rally on March 12, 2016, in Vandalia, Ohio. Kiichiro Sato, AP